Addiction related to prescription painkillers is a major issue that affects employers of all sizes in Greater Cincinnati, according to Kenwood-based HORAN, an employee benefits firm whose expertise includes workforce health management.

This year’s group of standout advisers ages 35 and younger is taking charge of the employee benefit supply chain with a determination to reduce costs and improve client outcomes. Erik Hansen, President of Vita Companies, a United Benefit Advisors Partner Firm, is among those rising stars.

Previous civil rights laws enforced by the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) prohibited health care related discrimination based on race, color, national origin, disability, or age. Section 1557 of the ACA added sex to that list. Although Sec. 1557 has been in effect since the enactment of the ACA, the Final rule implements the statutory section and clariﬁes the outlines of the nondiscrimination policy. Danielle Capilla, Chief Compliance Offcer at United Beneﬁt Advisors, explained that the rule "further clariﬁes a grey area, and provides teeth and speciﬁcity to poorly understood or enforced rules."